Markit, which compiles the statistics said a "solid rebound in residential [building] was the key factor" behind the strong figures, in an early boost to the government's £5bn housebuilding drive announced by chancellor Philip Hammond at the Conservative Party Conference yesterday.

Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said: "Construction companies moved back into expansion mode during September, led by a swift recovery in residential building from the three-and-a-half year low recorded in June.

"Resilient housing market conditions and a renewed upturn in civil engineering activity helped to drive an overall improvement in construction output volumes for the first time since the EU referendum."